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"It is the obligation of this subcommittee to ensure that the middle class, working families and low-income families are not harmed by reckless cuts. We will reject these cuts to health programs, medical research, public health, home heating assistance, and so many others; instead, we are going to invest in health, education, and protections for the middle class."

"As you know, election security has been a major focus of this subcommittee, and for the second year in a row, we have supported significant increases to your budget to address these vulnerabilities to ensure that our election system is secure and reliable."

"The fiscal year 2020 budget request is $207 million, a $15 million increase over the fiscal year 2019 enacted level. However, given the wide range of new initiatives and significant challenges facing VA and our veterans, I am concerned if this funding is adequate for the effective oversight to successfully combat waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department and ensure that taxpayer’s dollars are being well spent."

"First and foremost, is whether the interests of the American taxpayer are being put first – where they belong – or whether the personal financial interests of President Trump are taking precedence when GSA is making real estate and procurement decisions."

"Gun crimes happen all over our nation, and not a day goes by without a firearms-related death. This violence has a serious impact on our neighborhoods, not only the serious physical and emotional impact on families, but also the psychological impact on the broader community at large. Two weeks ago, the House took a step forward in addressing this epidemic. I look forward to working with the agencies here today to determine what steps we can take next."

"The behavior of predatory for-profit colleges is egregious. They are private companies that can subsist entirely on federal dollars. I would think that my colleagues who decry crony capitalism would particularly object to this, especially since it comes at the expense of veterans, students, families and taxpayers. Yet, the Trump administration and Secretary DeVos have rushed to let these predatory programs off the hook."

"This subcommittee has a long bipartisan tradition, and emergency management issues are a prime example as to why. Disasters do not distinguish where they strike by party affiliation, and helping disaster survivors and their communities in the wake of a disaster is a goal that we all share."

"While I am glad you have an active oversight profile, I do have concerns about the number of recommendations that remain open, and the agencies’ efforts to close them out. Based on your last Semiannual Report, there are recommendations pending final agency actions going back to 2005! We’d like to hear your thoughts on how to incentivize the agencies to act."

"These investments in passenger rail not only improve service, they help eliminate freight bottlenecks, improve safety in congested corridors, and contribute to economic growth. These and other success stories provide us with a useful roadmap, but if we want to accelerate this progress and replicate it, we will clearly need more funding."